England scraped into the last-16 of the World Cup with a much-improved performance in a 1-0 win over Slovenia. Here’s how Metro rated England’s team.

Captain Steven Gerrard leads England out against Slovenia

David James – 7/10

Other than a nervous-looking punch in the first half, had little to do behind a solid England defence. Marshalled them well though and played for time late on like the veteran he is.

Glen Johnson – 8/10

Aside from his dive in the first half, for which he was rightly booked, the Liverpool man looked assured in defence and a threat going forward. Great tackle towards the end that, along with a sliding Upson challenge, denied the Slovenians their equaliser. Some tired-looking challenges towards the end can be excused for the running he did up and down the flanks earlier in the game.

John Terry – 7/10

As usual, put his body on the line for the cause and was at times imperious in his reading of the game. Not his most assured performance by any means, and was caught out of position more than once, but proved to be more than good enough to get the better of the opposition strikers.

Matthew Upson – 8/10

Composed alongside Terry and his pace made him a much better option than the sluggish Jamie Carragher. One fantastic tackle in the box denied Slovenia a certain – and heart-rending – injury-time goal.

Ashley Cole – 9/10

England’s best player going forward and provided an attacking threat on the left while also keeping dangerous Slovenian attacking full-back Miso Brecko very quiet. Caught upfield a couple of times but that was mainly down to mistakes by others in gifting possession away.

James Milner – 9/10

Simply excellent. Much more reliable in his delivery from wide than Aaron Lennon has been in the two previous games. Also earned a place in English hearts for his heroics in playing keep-ball by the corner flag as time ran down.

Frank Lampard – 7/10

His experience proved invaluable – even though his performance wasn’t quite akin to some of his best in a Chelsea shirt. A cool head at the end and played well in keeping England moving forward – even if he again drifted into anonymity as the game entered the final 15 minutes.

Gareth Barry – 5/10

Another poor display from England’s chief holding player, who must now fear for his place. Almost cost Capello’s side by giving the ball away cheaply and was lucky to escape a booking with one particularly clumsy challenge in the second half.

Steven Gerrard – 8/10

Much-improved from the captain, who, despite being asked to play wide left again, stuck to his task and position instead of cutting inside. England looked far more balanced as a result.

Wayne Rooney – 6/10

Looked better than he has in the tournament so far, and was unlucky to be denied a goal by a superb fingertip save by Handanovic when clean through. Still looked sluggish at times though and was withdrawn after 72 minutes after picking up a knock on the ankle.

Jermain Defoe – 8/10

Took his goal well – even if he did get lucky off the goalkeeper’s flailing arms, but missed a great chance for a second when his flick from six yards went wide. Offered more of a threat than Heskey has in previous matches with his pace and ability to get in behind causing Slovenia no end of problems.

SUBSTITUTESJoe Cole – 5/10

Did well as Milner’s side-kick in playing out two minutes of injury time down by the corner flag, but aside from that looked off the pace and his touch let him down more than once. Full of running, but showed little quality on the ball.

Emile Heskey – 5/10

Did his job for the final five or so minutes, but no time to make an impact up front with England on the back foot.